UCAN (Chicago)

UCAN was well represented as Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton blended inspiring and insightful words of political wisdom and personal stories that are the foundation of her commitment to serving the people of Illinois. During her remarks at the November 18 City Club of Chicago luncheon at Maggiano's Banquets, Stratton emphasized her long-time focus on supporting the state's agriculture industry as well as women's rights, among other areas. UCAN CEO Christa Hamilton and senior leaders Derrick K. Baker, Fred Long and Terri Sharpp were on hand along with UCAN Government Affairs Director Phillip Jones. #UCAN #PoliticalPartnerships #Chicago Office of Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

UCAN’s Halloween party was a celebration of community and collaboration! Over 700 children and families trunk-or-treated, visited the Rufarro Remodeling haunted truck, played laser tag, and rode horses on Halloween night at our Drost Harding Campus in North Lawndale. We shifted other activities inside due to the windy conditions: face painting and balloon animals, painting mini pumpkins, running through the inflatable obstacle course, and enjoying nachos, wings, and pizza from the kitchen of UCAN’s Therapeutic Youth Home and courtesy of Goodwill. A big thank you to all the hands that came together to host this fun and safe event for the youth in our care and other children on the West Side. Special recognition to Communities Partnering 4 Peace - CP4P Light in the Night program that funded many of the activities and Rufarro Remodeling and Maintenance LLC for sponsorship and creating a custom scream-inducing “haunted truck.” Many longstanding and a few new partners generously supported the event with candy, gift cards, food, and time: * State Senator Lakesia Collins * Alderwoman Monique L. Scott * State Representative Yolonda Morris * Goodwill Industries International * Northern Trust * Open Books * The Firehouse Community Arts Center * Reach Out Community Center N.F.P. * Chicago CRED * Rush University Medical Center * Women Empowering Women/ Hug A Child Make A Change * Wipfli LLP * Auxiliary Board member Brittany Brown * … and UCAN staff and youth participants!

Wow!?? Thanks to the incredible efforts of Susan McNally Wilde, a UCAN board member, and the Catherine Cook School families and staff, UCAN has received over 3,300 books from its annual book drive. ????This is not just a donation, but a record-breaking one, the most books Catherine Cook has ever donated to us! We are incredibly grateful to the families and staff of Catherine Cook School for their generosity. By sharing knowledge and resources in the form of books, their students continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals we serve.?? #UCAN #CatherineCookSchool #BookDrive #SharingKnowledge #Chicago #ChicagoCommunities

On November 7 there will only be one place where the breathtaking Chicago skyline meets delicious drinks, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, exciting raffle prizes, and a venue filled with the city’s top professionals and leaders. Future Leaders Night is the event you don't want to miss, and we’re looking for you! ?? The UCAN Auxiliary Board is excited to bring this signature event back to the UCAN community to celebrate and honor the incredible youth we serve. Don’t go another day without purchasing your tickets! Click the link to purchase your tickets today for a chance to win a $100 gift card! ?? https://hubs.la/Q02VV_cw0 Can’t make it to the event? No worries, we’ve got you covered! You can still make a difference through our sponsorship opportunities. Whether as a corporate or individual sponsor, your support will have a significant impact on this event, UCAN’s programs, and the youth we serve.?? 2024 Future Leaders Gala logistics: BMO TOWER, CHICAGO 320 S Canal St. Chicago, IL, 60606 November 7, 2024, 5:30 pm – 8:30pm Dress Code Smart casual / Business casual Parking Available 333 S Clinton St Chicago, IL *NO In/Out Privileges. **$12 Evening Special *** The Evening Special is valid Monday through Friday. You must enter between 3 pm and 12 am and leave by 7 am the next morning.

Every ribbon tells a story ?? Stand with us in raising awareness and support for those impacted by Breast Cancer. Together, we can make a difference! #UCAN #BreastCancerAwareness

October 22 was a memorable day for our UCAN Vote campaign and our March to the Polls event as more than 150 people, including UCAN staff and participants, gathered to march to a nearby polling site and exercise their right to vote. A special thank you to our keynote and guest speakers Senator Lakesia Collins,; Brenda Palms, owner of The Beelove Cafe; and UCAN Vice President of Violence Intervention and Prevention Services Edwin Galletti. Big shout out to Phillip Jones, UCAN director of Government Affairs, who emceed the event and coordinated UCAN's participation in the march as well as leads the UCAN Vote initiative. #UCAN #UCANVote #CP4P #2024Election #YourVoiceMatters #PoliticalPartnerships #CommunityPartners #Chicago #ChicagoCommunities

On October 22, UCAN hosted DCFS Director Heidi Mueller and her executive leadership team for a tour of our Residential facility and to learn more about our other community-centered programs. UCAN has been a proud partner with DCFS for many years, and we value the strong relationship we share in the interest of serving youth in care to meet their educational, emotional, physical and health needs. For 155 years, UCAN has been committed to caring for children displaced from their biological families. We are steadfast in our mission and look forward to continuing this vital work in partnership with DCFS for years to come. #UCAN #DCFS #YouthInCare #Chicago #ChicagoCommunities Illinois Department of Human Services

UCAN's SheRo program that supports women who have been the victim or perpetrator of violence, received deserved national media attention today on the CBS national news "Eye on America" program. Watch the inspiring segment to learn how the women in the program are demonstrating the courage to change with the engaged support of the team from our Violence Intervention and Prevention Services program that is laser focused on delivering community violence intervention resources throughout Chicago.

Want to show off your great costume? Have ideas for a creative trunk decoration? Or you don’t want to miss the best family-friendly Halloween party anywhere? COME OUT TO our Halloween Trunk or Treat, hosted in collaboration with some of our favorite community partners and elected officials! Three cases of wings?? One DJ?? Two face painters?? Two horses?? Two bounce houses?? Candy candy candy?? Two words: HAUNTED TRUCK!!?????? Click here to learn more about bringing a trunk!! https://hubs.la/Q02TT3kG0 Click here to volunteer! https://hubs.la/Q02TT5N_0 Big thanks to these longtime partners and party co-hosts: Metropolitan Family Services’ Light In the Night Program Rufarro Remodeling & Maintenance State Senator Lakesia Collins State Representative Yolanda Morris Alderwoman Monique Scott Hug A Child Make A Change Building Brighter Minds for the Future (BBMF) #UCAN #Chicago #trunkortreat #westsidehalloween #northlawndale